About maketodayrock.com: We celebrate musicians' birthdays, remember those we've lost, and highlight key moments in music such a release dates, chart peak dates, or anything else tied to a specific date. Pick any day from the menu in the top right. The front page shows recent obituaries.
July 12, 1950 ~ Paul Charles Caravello, commonly known as drummer Eric Carr, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Ringo Starr, John Bonham, Keith Moon, Lenny White. Joined rock band Kiss in 1980, taking over from Peter Criss, recording over half a dozen albums with the band until his death of heart cancer at age 41. Co-wrote Don't Leave Me Lonely, recorded by Bryan Adams for his 1983 Cuts Like A Knife album. Carr also guested on the WOW album, recorded by Wendy O Williams in 1984 following her split from the Plasmatics ~ Carr passed away in 1991
July 12, 1948 ~ Rock, blues, country, jazz bassist Tom Robb, full name Thomas James Robb, born in Passaic, New Jersey, USA ~ Noted for his bass playing on the 1978 Billboard Hot 100 No.5 hit I Love The Nightlife by Alicia Bridges. An in-demand session musician throughout his career, Robb has appeared on albums by Mylon LeFevre, Johnny Nash, Melissa Manchester, Dionne Warwick, Bettye LaVette (Tell Me A Lie), Deborah Allen, Tammy Wynette (Higher Ground), Marie Osmond, Vern Gosdin, Ricky Van Shelton, John Jarvis, Eddie Rabbitt, Holly Dunn, the Winans, and Crystal Gayle. Robb is also known as a member of the Marshall Tucker Band during the mid-1980s ~ Robb passed away in 2006
July 12, 1948 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Walter Egan born in Jamaica, New York, USA ~ Best known for his Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Magnet And Steel of his 1978 Not Shy sophomore album. Self-penned and co-produced with Lindsey Buckingham and Richard Dashut it would feature Stevie Nicks on backing vocals
July 12, 1947 ~ Jazz, swing bandleader, saxophonist Jimmie Lunceford, full name James Melvin Lunceford, passed away in Seaside, Oregon, USA ~ Popular during the 1930s and known for his distinctive two-beat rhythm, called the Lunceford two-beat. Well known songs include Rhythm Is Our Business, I'm Nuts About Screwy Business, Four Or Five Times, Wham (Re-bop-boom-bam), For Dancers Only and Stratosphere ~ Lunceford was born in 1902
July 12, 1947 ~ John Peter Wilkinson, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Wilko Johnson, born in Essex, UK ~ Fingerstyle punk, punk-pop, pub rock guitarist. Influenced Paul Weller. Core member of Dr Feelgood, known best for their 1979 Milk And Alcohol single. Also worked with the Solid Senders, Ian Dury's band the Blockheads, Roger Daltrey, and Mick Farren ~ Wilkinson passed away in 2022July 12, 1946 ~ Sambista, singer, songwriter Almir Guineto born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Known for songs such as Mordomia. Worked with Fundo de Quintal, and Originals Do Samba. As a songwriter had his songs recorded by Beth Carvalho, Zeca Pagodinho, and by Dorina ~ Guineto passed away in 2017
July 12, 1946 ~ Soft rock guitarist, bassist, singer, songwriter Jeff Christie born in Leeds, UK ~ Frontman and eponym of Christie, best known for their 1970 hit Yellow River. The song was initially offered to the Tremeloes who did record a version but never released it. Christie's single would top the UK charts and sell over 30 million copies worldwide. It's follow-up single San Bernadino would also reach the UK top 10
July 12, 1946 ~ Vivien Foreman, commonly known as pop singer Julie Grant, born in Blackpool, UK ~ Discovered by Frankie Vaughan, Grant is known for the singles Up On The Roof, Count On Me, and Come To Me, all of which reached top 40 in her native UK in 1963 and 1964. Her success gained her a series of television guest spots, plus star billing on a 1963 package tour alongside headliners the Everly Brothers and Bo Diddley. Grant would later join Spanish-based lounge act the Zaras, to return to a solo career by the mid 1970s
July 12, 1945 ~ Jazz percussionist, pianist, singer Bernard Lubat born in Uzeste, France ~ Worked with Jef Gilson, Les Double Six, the Paris Jazz All-Stars, Hubert Rostaing, Roger Guérin, the Swingle Singers, Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz, Eddy Louiss, Dalida, Charles Aznavour, Yves Montand, Sacha Distel, Manu Dibango, Bud Powell, Archie Shepp, Kenny Clarke, Cecil Taylor, Stéphane Grappelli, Paco Sery, Eddy Louiss, Claude Nougaro, Daniel Humair, Mino Cinélu, Jacques Higelin, Han Bennink, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sonny Stitt
July 12, 1945 ~ Guitarist, singer Butch Hancock born in Lubbock, Texas, USA ~ Member of country outfit the Flatlanders alongside Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore, known for their pivotal More A Legend Than A Band album. The album would initially be released in 1972 on cassette and 8-track to only local success. The set would however over time become to become critically acclaimed and eventually be re-released in 1990. Hancock has also released solo albums and collaborated with Marce LaCouture, Terry Allen, Robert Earl Keen, Richard Buckner, Bob Neuwirth, and Delbert McClinton. In-demand songwriter, songs written or co-written by Hancock have been recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker, the Sir Douglas Quintet, Emmylou Harris, the Texas Tornados, Flaco Jiménez, Rosie Flores, Toni Price, Willie Nelson, and by Bill Kirchen
July 12, 1945 ~ Pop, bubblegum pop singer Prudence McIntyre, full name Prudence Ann McIntyre, born ~ Formed the duo Patience & Prudence with her sister Patience McIntyre. Daughters of orchestra leader Mark McIntyre, they scored two hits in 1956, Gonna Get Along Without Ya Now and Tonight You Belong To Me. Both singles would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100, both would reach top 20 UK. The siblings continued to record through 1964 but were unable to repeat their earlier surprise succes. Later the duo explained their succes was “just an accident” and the siblings, both in their early teens back when they hit the charts, never intended to become performers ~ McIntyre passed away in 2023
July 12, 1944 ~ Double bassist Jean-François Jenny-Clark born in Toulouse, France ~ Regarded as one of the most important bassists of European jazz. First gained serious attention as member of Don Cherry's mid 1960s European quintet alongside drummer Aldo Romano, including on the highly acclaimed Symphony For Improvisers album. Though primarily active in jazz, Jenny-Clark is also known as a member of Diego Masson's Musique Vivante ensemble, interpreting contemporary compositions by John Cage, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Pierre Boulez. An in-demand collaborator, and occasional co-leader, Jenny-Clark has appeared on album by Barney Wilen, Michel Portal, Steve Lacy (Plays Monk), Martial Solal, Gato Barbieri (Bolivia), Albert Mangelsdorff, Charlie Mariano, Jean-Luc Ponty, Paul Motian (Le Voyage), Kenny Wheeler (Around 6), Michel Petrucciani, Joachim Kühn (From Time To Time Free), John Greaves, Pierre Boulez, Daniel Humair, Jane Birkin (Versions Jane), Jasper van 't Hof, and Richard Galliano ~ Jenny-Clark passed away in 1998
July 12, 1943 ~ Christine Anne Perfect, commonly known as blues rock, rock, pop rock singer, keyboardist, songwriter Christine McVie born in Bouth, UK ~ Daughter of concert violinist Cyril Perfect. Member of blues outfit Chicken Shack through 1969, with whom she recorded two albums. Best known as member of Fleetwood Mac, initially working with the band as a session pianist on their second album Mr Wonderful. Would become an integral member of the band by the early 1970s. Wrote or co-wrote several of the band's best known including Don't Stop, The Chain, You Make Loving Fun, Little Lies, and As Long As You Follow. Married to Fleetwood bassist John McVie from 1969 through 1976 ~ Perfect passed away in 2022
July 12, 1942 ~ Jerry Williams Jr, commonly known as soul, R&B singer, songwriter Swamp Dogg, born in Portsmouth, Virginia, USA ~ After recording as Little Jerry in the 1950s and 1960s, noted especially for his 1967 track Run Run Roadrunner, Williams reinvented himself and took the stage name Swamp Dogg to become one of the most beloved cult figures with a series of satirical, eccentric recordings well into the 2020s starting with the acclaimed Total Destruction To Your Mind and its follow-up Rat On released in the early 1970s. Williams continued to write for other artists, frequently teaming up with Gary US Bonds, his songs recorded by Dee Dee Warwick, Arthur Conley, Gene Pitney, Doris Duke, and Freddie North. Having adopted his moniker before rapper Snoop Dogg was even born, Williams has claimed to be “the original D-O double G”
July 12, 1939 ~ Kenneth Diono, commonly known as singer Kenny Dino born in Astoria, New York, USA ~ Offered but turned down the opportunity to form a duo with then-unknown Paul Simon in the early 1960s. Diono was reportedly also offered Suspicion, a song later popularized by Elvis Presley, but denied the opportunity by his label. Diono is best known for his sole Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Tonight hit, which reached No.24 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. Diono also ventured into acting, notably appearing in the 1967 Valley Of The Dolls feature film. Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant would cover Diono's sole hit on his 1990 Manic Nirvana solo album. Though Dino would fail to reach the charts after his sole 1961 hit, he continued to perform until his death. Diono was found unconscious in his car on the side of the road, apparently having suffered a heart attack while driving home from a gig, and died later the same day ~ Diono passed away in 2009July 12, 1939 ~ Reggae producer Lloyd Daley born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Worked with Jackie Mittoo (The Dark Of The Sun), the Scorchers, Little Roy, the Abyssinians, the Ethiopians (Owe Me No Pay Me), Dennis Brown (Things In Life, Don't Do It), the Wailing Souls, Alton Ellis (Lord Deliver Us), John Holt, the Paragons, and U-Roy (Sound Of The Wise, Scandal) ~ Daley passed away in 2018
July 12, 1937 ~ Singer Jan Buijs born ~ Considered a pioneer in the palingpop genre. Founded the skiffle band the Skyriders, employing numerous later stars including Cees Veerman and Arnold Mühre. Owned a dance studio, dance school which served as a breeding ground for numerous acts including the Spoetnik Boys, the Beat Boys and the Left Side ~ Buijs passed away in 2010
July 12, 1935 ~ Songwriter Barry Mason, full name Johnn Barry Mason, born in Wigan, UK ~ Frequent songwriting collaborator of Les Reed. Artists who have recorded songs written or co-written by Mason include Dalida, Jefferson (Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)), PJ Proby, David Essex, the Drifters, Rod Stewart, Petula Clark, Perry Como, Engelbert Humperdinck (The Last Waltz), the Fortunes (Here It Comes Again), Charles Aznavour, Tony Christie, Connie Francis, Tom Jones (Delilah), and Barbra Streisand ~ Mason passed away in 2021
July 12, 1935 ~ John Patton, commonly known as jazz, blues, R&B pianist Big John Patton, passed away in Montclair, New Jersey, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Regarded by some as an important figure inspiring the boom of 1960s soul jazz. Reeemerged in the 1980s and 1990s as a key player and influence on many acid jazz players. Has worked with Lloyd Price, Grant Green, Lou Donaldson, Art Blakey, Fred Jackson, Red Holloway, Clifford Jordan, Johnny Lytle, Jimmy Ponder, Harold Vick, Don Wilkerson, and John Zorn ~ Patton passed away in 2002July 12, 1935 ~ Blues guitarist Sammy Lawhorn, full name Samuel David Lawhorn, born in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA ~ Best known for his association with Muddy Waters, including on pivotal albums such as Folk Singer and Live At Mr Kelly's. Has also worked with artists such as Otis Spann, Willie Cobbs, Eddie Boyd, Roy Brown, Big Mama Thornton, John Lee Hooker, James Cotton, Junior Wells, Otis Rush, Jimmy Witherspoon, T-Bone Walker, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Elmore James ~ Lawhorn passed away in 1990
July 12, 1926 ~ Jazz, R&B saxophonist Joe Houston, full name Joseph Abraham Houston, born in Bastrop, Texas, USA ~ Worked with King Kolax, Amos Milburn, Big Joe Turner, Betty Roché, and Wynonie Harris. Fronted his own band, Joe Houston & the Rockers, known best for the early 1950s R&B hits Worry Worry Worry and Hard Time Baby. Also a member of the Defrosterz ~ Houston passed away in 2015
July 12, 1916 ~ Jazz, blues tenor saxophonist Sam Taylor, full name Samuel Leroy Taylor Jr, born in Lexington, Tennessee, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with the Bama State Collegians, Scatman Crothers, Cootie Williams, Lucky Millinder, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Buddy Johnson, Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner (including sax solo on Shake Rattle & Roll), Clyde McPhatter, the Drifters, the Chords (including on doo-wop classic Sh-boom), Ruth Brown, Freddy Cole, Al Hibbler, Langston Hughes, Quincy Jones, and Dick Hyman ~ Taylor passed away in 1990
July 12, 1912 ~ Wilbur Schwichtenberg, commonly known as trombonist, bandleader Will Bradley, born in Newton, New Jersey, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity during the 1930s and 1940s with a mixture of swing, dance, and boogie-woogie. Employed sidemen such as Freddie Slack, Arthur Rollini, Peanuts Hucko, Lee Castle, Pete Candoli, Ray McKinley, Doc Goldberg, Shorty Rogers, and Terry Allen. Best known for songs such as Scrub Me Mama With A Boogie Beat, Down The Road A Piece and perhaps his biggest hit Beat Me Daddy Eight To The Bar ~ Schwichtenberg passed away in 1989July 12, 1895 ~ Lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, full name Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-wrote over 850 songs. Best known for his writing partnership with Richard Rodgers, scoring with musicals such as Oklahoma, The King & I and The Sound Of Music. Also collaborated with composers such as Jerome Kern, Vincent Youmans, Rudolf Frimi, Richard Whiting, and Sigmund Romberg ~ Hammerstein passed away in 1960